--- title: "Chinese Aircraft Carrier Heads To Sea With Mockup J-35 Stealth Fighter" description: "New photos and video have emerged, providing us with a much better view of the mockup of China’s stealthy [J-35 carrier-capable fighter]() aboard the aircraft carrier *[Liaoning]()*. While we had [previously seen the test specimen]() on the carrier while it…" date: "2024-02-29" modified: "2024-02-29" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/chinese-aircraft-carrier-heads-to-sea-with-mockup-j-35-stealth-fighter" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "Carriers" - "China" - "Fighters" - "Indo-Pacific" - "Kuznetsov Class (and variants)" - "Liaoning (16)" - "Naval Aviation" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "People's Liberation Army Navy (China)" - "Sea" - "Stealth" --- # Chinese Aircraft Carrier Heads To Sea With Mockup J-35 Stealth Fighter ![J-15 AND J-35 MOCKUPS ON THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER LIAONING]() *Chinese internet via X* New photos and video have emerged, providing us with a much better view of the mockup of China’s stealthy [J-35 carrier-capable fighter]() aboard the aircraft carrier *[Liaoning]()*. While we had [previously seen the test specimen]() on the carrier while it was in port, it’s now clear that deck-handling trials are continuing with the overhauled warship now going to sea. The development raises more questions about what the future makeup of the Chinese carrier air wing will look like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KSqUUffkvk ![]() *The *Liaoning* heads out to sea with mockups of the J-35 and a J-15 variant seen at the rear of the deck. *Chinese internet via X** ![]() *A close-up view of the mockups of the J-35 and the J-15 variant. *Chinese internet via X** As you can [read about in our previous analysis](), sightings of the J-35 mockup on the *Liaoning* earlier this month suggested that the stealth fighter may be headed for an embarked career aboard China’s first two carriers, which are *not* fitted with catapults. In the past, it had been expected that the carrier-capable J-35 was intended for China’s next-generation carriers, which will use catapults rather than ‘ski jump’ ramps to get aircraft airborne. ![]() *The mockups of the J-35 and the J-15 variant when the *Liaoning* was still in port. *Chinese internet via X** A full-size mockup of the J-35 [had been sighted previously](), too, including aboard China’s [land-based carrier test facility]() in Wuhan, where such aircraft ‘shapes’ are evaluated for potential use at sea. With the mockup now uncovered, the latest imagery indicates that it wears a light-gray paint scheme the same as that worn by in-service J-15 carrier fighters. **The following series of photos shows the full-size mockup of the J-35 aboard *Liaoning* earlier this year before it had left port after its latest overhaul:** ![]() *Wrapped in a dark tarpaulin, the mockup of the J-35 is visibly parked at the end of the deck of the *Liaoning*. *Chinese internet via X** ![]() *A lower-quality view of the mockup of the J-35, parked at the rear of the carrier. *Chinese internet* *via X** ![]() *A rear three-quarter-view of the mockup of the J-35, which appeared earlier this month. *Chinese *internet** *via X** At the same time, the latest photos and video also show a mockup of a [J-15]() on the *Liaoning*. The basic J-15 is now a well-established part of the air wings of China’s two in-service carriers — *Liaoning* and *Shandong* — but a mockup might still be useful for continued training, as well as how the aircraft might interact with the J-35 around the deck and in the hangar. But there have been suggestions that the mockup in question could represent a newer version of the J-15. Although covered by a tarpaulin, the cockpit shape suggests that it could be a two-seat derivative. According to Andreas Rupprecht, a longtime China aerospace observer and [contributor to *The War Zone*](), there are rumors that the J-15 mockup (or mockups, with potentially two now onboard) are for tests of the electronic warfare version of the aircraft. Likely known as the J-15D, this two-seater is essentially a Chinese equivalent to the U.S. Navy’s [EA-18G Growler]() and an important part of the ongoing modernization of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) carrier air wing. It remains little seen, however, and fairly mysterious. https://twitter.com/louischeung\_hk/status/1543515005869404160 A pair of mockup J-15Ds also previously appeared on the *Shandong*, back in 2022, as seen in the tweet below. Noteworthy is the fact that these mockups were single-seaters; the J-15D is a two-seater, but this level of accuracy was obviously not deemed relevant for deck-handling trials. The J-15 mockup on the *Liaoning* lacks wingtip pods (or pylons, for that matter) but they could be added later. https://twitter.com/louischeung\_hk/status/1542933002811891712 A Chinese carrier going to sea with aircraft mockups onboard is “not that usual, but also not unusual,” Rupprecht told us. Their role is to practice deck-handling movements, including using the elevators that move aircraft between the flight deck and the hangar below. Deck-handling aids of different kinds are a familiar part of aircraft carrier training in general and can take a variety of forms. The U.S. Navy will crane real aircraft [onto carriers for deck-handling trials](), while the Indian Navy trains its deck crew using very basic replica ‘shapes’ that [represent the dimensions]() of the actual aircraft, but little else. Now that *Liaoning* has completed its overhaul, it seems that carrier-compatibility tests with the J-35 and potential J-15D ([or another kind of naval Flanker variant]()) are now going to be undertaken in the more realistic and demanding environment of at-sea operations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=encV6n3hntA Taken together, the two mockups provide further evidence that China may be looking at the possibility of significantly upgrading the airpower capabilities of both the *Liaoning* and *Shandong*. Currently, these vessels go to sea with air wings made up of up to a maximum of 24 J-15 fighters. These [are typically supported]() by around two Z-18F anti-submarine warfare helicopters, two Z-18JA airborne early warning helicopters, and a pair of smaller Z-9 helicopters for plane-guard and general utility duties. ![]() *The *Liaoning* at sea with a typical air wing embarked. *via Chinese internet** Unlike the Russian [Su-33]() from which it was derived, the Chinese-made J-15 has a fairly robust precision-attack capability with [YJ-83K]() anti-ship missiles and [YJ-91]() anti-radiation missiles, as well as carrying [locally developed air-to-air missiles]() of various types. Other improvements over the Su-33 include locally developed avionics and now also Chinese-made [engines](). As we have explored before, having the J-35 join the air wing of either of these carriers would be a huge boost. As well as its low-observable characteristics, it’s assumed that the production aircraft will feature an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar among a host of advanced sensors, as well as very capable weaponry. ![]() *The navalized J-35 — this time not a mockup. *Chinese internet** Since the *Liaoning* and the *Shandong* are equipped for short takeoff but arrested recovery, or STOBAR, operations, the J-35 would have to make use of the ski-jump ramp on the bow to launch, and then recover using arrester wires. This arrangement limits the payload of the J-15 when operating from these warships, but [as we’ve pointed out in the past](), the J-35, which is intended to carry more limited stores internally, may be less dramatically affected than other types. Having the J-35 conduct regular operations from the *Liaoning* and the *Shandong* may not have been expected by most observers, but it would make some sense, if feasible, not least to gather valuable experience with the aircraft before expanding its concept of operations aboard the PLAN’s next aircraft carrier, the *[Fujian]()*. This warship deletes the bow ramp and instead will make use of catapult-assisted takeoff but arrested recovery, or CATOBAR, operations. Using catapults, specifically the advanced [electromagnetic aircraft launch system]() (EMALS) type, will allow the J-35 (or other fixed-wing aircraft) to operate from the carrier with much heavier fuel and weapons loads. **A useful comparison of the Chinese aircraft carriers *Liaoning* (CV-16), *Shandong* (CV-17), and *Fujian* (CV-18):** https://twitter.com/louischeung\_hk/status/1537402220303376388 “In my opinion \[the J-35 joining the *Liaoning* and the *Shandong*\] makes perfect sense,” Rupprecht continues. “Before the *Fujian* is ready, especially as an operational carrier, the PLAN will need to spend a lot of time training with the J-35 on the deck and in the air. Even if the training is limited due to not having a catapult, the PLAN can gain a lot of flight hours and a lot of experience.” Provided the J-15 mockup is intended to replicate the J-15D, the same applies in this case, as well. Currently, the air wings of the *Liaoning* and the *Shandong* don’t include dedicated electronic warfare aircraft. The J-15D would open up a whole new range of missions for China’s existing carriers, were it to be embarked. https://twitter.com/LiaWong\_\_/status/1488834469293264899 There have also been suggestions that the J-15D could be a lot more than simply an escort jammer type, too. Some accounts suggest the J-15D is heavily inspired by the land-based [J-16D ‘Wild Weasel’ variant](), reflected in the similar wingtip electronic warfare pods and revised radome profile. Like the J-16D, the infrared search and track sensor and internal gun are removed. As on the J-16D, further electronic warfare pods are expected to be carried under the J-15D’s wings, while it is also rumored to be intended for offensive operations, using anti-radiation missiles and perhaps other weapons. ![]() *A J-16D electronic warfare aircraft is on display during Airshow China on September 29, 2021, in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. *Photo by Long Wei/VCG via Getty Images** While the first two prototype J-15Ds were equipped for STOBAR rather than CATOBAR operations, the assumption was again that, in the end, this variant would be optimized for use on the *Fujian* and subsequent carriers. Now, the latest evidence suggests that might have to be revised. It could be the case that China has ambitions to put J-35s *and* J-15Ds aboard its first-generation ‘ski-jump carriers’ as well. If that turns out to be the case, it would be a good preparation for the *Fujian* and the PLAN’s future CATOBAR operations. China has also[ developed a CATOBAR version of the J-15]() and these same modifications could also be incorporated in the J-15D. Then, once the J-35 and J-15 go to sea aboard the *Fujian*, they will be able to take advantage of the performance and capability advantage offered by catapult launch, as well as working alongside the [KJ-600]() carrier radar plane as a valuable force-multiplier. [Carrier-based drones]() also seem [likely to be part]() of the PLAN’s future air wings, too. ![]() *A rare view of a CATOBAR-capable J-15. The J-15T version (seen in the background) has a revised nose landing gear featuring a catapult launch bar. *Chinese TV screencap** As with much in China’s military aerospace realm, there are many uncertainties regarding plans for its future carrier force and the aircraft that will equip it. It’s clear, however, that this remains a highly dynamic and fascinating area of development. *Contact the author: [thomas@thewarzone.com]()* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()